Schadenfreude is a figure who takes pleasure in inflicting pains on others. King Lear has many characters with this characteristic. For example, Regan and Cornwall enjoy poking Gloucester's eyes out, and Edmund was happy that his plan to betray his father and half-brother was working out, so he could be the new Earl of Gloucester. Iago in Othello can also be considered as a Schadenfreude character, not only does he take joy in what he was doing, he also mocked Othello's suffering.
Trang Nguyen
Discussion 1A
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Schadenfreude (Schaden meaning damage or harm and freude meaning joy) is a word borrowed from German by the English language. It's a little difficult to understand whether or not its true schadenfreude or not considering that, in the case of Iago for example, actions are taken to "right wrongs." Iago acts out because he claims to have been wronged by the Moor and also because the relationship between the undesirable Othello and the desirable Desdemona presents a dangerous breach in the social norm. In that case, would his "retaliation" be seen as schadenfreude? Also, I think at one point he tries to prevent Othello from lashing out at his wife? I think his schadenfreude is limited to those who he believes have wronged him.
Cassie Ching
Discussion 1E
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